Sunday 29 October was a day to remember for the members of St Barnabas, both past and present. The morning began with glorious sunshine which lit up the church and warmed our hearts. As folk gathered for worship we saw the front windows of the building had been decorated with a colourful display of the letters spelling St Barnabas, made by the children in the Junior Climbers class, containing colour, texture and their prayers and memories. Pride of place by the central door was the Birthday Box made for St Barnabas by Rufus and a friend. Inside the Welcome Area there was a further display made by the children in the Senior Climbers. This was the results of interviews they conducted, assisted by the Pathfinders, of members of the congregation, noting their memories and the hopes for the future. And if that wasn't enough we also could remember our journey to this beautiful building through the watercolours by June Everett, our Artist-in-Residence during the rebuilding. These were complemented by photographs taken shortly after the '92 fire by Maggie Allan.

Our worship was a Festival Eucharist and our preacher, The Revd Richard Cattley, Vicar from 1990-1999 reminded us that it is the people of God who are the living stones, proclaiming what we know to be the truth of God's love and being a welcoming church for all. 'I know the plans I have for you', says the Lord, 'to give you a future and a hope.' These words from the prophet Jeremiah were part of the way God sustained all those who worked to bring our beautiful building to life. We are very grateful to Diane Taylor and Anne Smith for the lovely, fragrant flower arrangements which complemented the banners made by Christine Osborne.

The choir, led by William, was in full voice and the anthems sung were all written for the choir of St Barnabas, one written especially for the dedication in 1996. At the end of our worship, Riccardo played magnificently and the crucifer and servers led the whole congregation out of the church and onto the approach so that we could see and hear our new bell ringing for the first time. A great cheer went up in thanksgiving to God as The Vicar, and Richard rang the bell together in hope for the decades still to come. This was only made possible through the generosity of Ian and Joan Hunter who endowed the bell, and we have named it The Hunter Bell in their honour. A celebration lunch followed at which 150 of us continued to enjoy the sunshine and each other's company. Thanks be to God.

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